With no other Democrats putting their hands up and mounting support, Kamala Harris looks almost certain to become the party’s new presidential candidate after President Joe Biden withdrew on Sunday. Over 2,600 Democrat party delegates (aka people elected by voters in each state to represent them) said in a survey they’ll back Harris – that’s well above the circa 2,000 needed. That isn’t binding – delegates have until 7 August to change their minds – and a virtual roll call is being planned to lock it in ASAP. That formality aside, Harris is already operating as the party’s candidate with Biden’s campaign chief Jen O’Malley Dillon confirming she’s taking the reins of her campaign. 

What’s Harris’s platform?

In a speech yesterday, the 59yo said “building up the middle class would be a defining goal of my presidency” – promising a future of “affordable healthcare”, fair pay and the chance to “retire with dignity”. She also spoke about the issues that separate her from Republican nominee Donald Trump – including support for more liberal abortion rights and tighter gun laws. And the money keeps on rolling in… She’s now broken fundraising records by receiving over US$81 million in just 24 hours. It turns out even Trump has donated to Harris in the past… But it’s not all hard policy – Harris is also tackling offensive old tropes that circulated about her gender and race in the past by embracing meme culture. She’s even been called a brat (which is apparently a compliment…). 

Geez it’s been a busy time in US politics… 

Yep and if that wasn’t enough, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is in Washington DC today to deliver an address to a joint sitting of Congress early tomorrow morning our time. Given the domestic political flux, all eyes will be on President Biden and Harris – who won’t preside over his speech as per her role as VP. Her team says she has a previously scheduled event in Indianapolis, but reports suggest she may be trying to avoid a difficult situation as Democrats are deeply divided over Israel. US officials say the visit could secure a ceasefire deal for Gaza – whether Netanyahu wants a deal is another matter… Numerous lawmakers are planning to boycott his address, and thousands of protesters are planning to descend on the Capitol. That has security agents on high alert – speaking of which, US Secret Service director Kim Cheatle has resigned overnight, taking responsibility for security failures before the assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump. Never a dull moment…